(Credit: Manh Tung, Imago)

Sunderland chain reaction in place after Granit Xhaka latest

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with experience at FanHub and the Sunderland Echo; Sunderland University graduate. FOCUS Transfer analysis and breaking news across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Josh utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, first-to-market transfer reporting. He provides the deal detail behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

Published on:

29 Jul 2025, 1:30 am

Granit Xhaka's proposed transfer to Sunderland could have some profound influence going forward.

With an agreement now in place for the signing of Xhaka, Sunderland are one step closer to their seventh summer addition, and what a signing it would be.

At 32 years old, Xhaka boasts a wealth of top-level experience and an ability that played an influential role in Bayer Leverkusen's invincible campaign just two seasons ago.

His addition will be huge for Sunderland on the pitch, but it could provide them with just as significant a boost off of it towards the latter stages of the window.

Sunderland-linked midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Xhaka is set for Sunderland (Credit: Imago & Manh Tung)

Xhaka will attract elite talent to Sunderland

The ambition set by the Sunderland board has already seen the likes of Simon Adingra and Habib Diarra make the move to the Stadium of Light, but the Black Cats' next anticipated arrival will amplify that.

Sunderland aren't the laughing stock of English football that they were just a few years ago; they are a club that want to progress, and players around the globe will see that.

Xhaka's stats compared to similar midfielders last season

If Xhaka is willing to leave a UEFA Champions League club for a move to Wearside, it opens the door for several others to follow suit over the next few weeks.

With Bafode Diakite and Jhon Lucumi also linked, the arrival of Xhaka may work wonders to accelerate those transfers.

Regis Le Bris watches his Sunderland side in action

Regis Le Bris is being backed at Sunderland (Credit: Imago)

Sunderland still have work to do

It's easy to get carried away, and very few will argue against that being warranted, but there is still a lot of work to do before the season starts in August.

Sunderland still need more quality in several areas of the pitch, while also boosting the level of depth in the squad for when AFCON comes around.

However, time is on the Black Cats' side to do just that, and those in charge have certainly earned some trust to deliver.

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Granit Xhaka